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Joseph Lai

Joseph Lai

Producer and director

Joseph Lai is a director and producer of many films in Hong Kong. He started IFD Films along with Godfrey Ho.

Biography from TMDB.

Works as
Producer and director
Titles
14 on MovieCove · 100 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 20% in 30 days

What are Joseph Lai's films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
46%
Survival
25%
Power
18%
Bonds
6%
Self
5%
Revenge7 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 4 · Wry 3 · Earnest 7

Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 9 · Serious 3 · Dark 2

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 7 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 3 · Charged 4 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 5 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 4

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 7

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 6

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 12 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 1

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
9
Tense
9
Thrilling
6
Dread
3
Joyful
2
Other
3

How their films linger

Fun11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteInfuriating2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet3
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Joseph Lai's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 13 of their 14 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Joseph Lai's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

100 credits, 14 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Hero the Great (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Producer

  • Phoenix from Shaolin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Producer

  • Beauty and Warrior (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Producer

  • Thunder Ninja Kids in the Golden Adventure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Producer

  • The Fighter the Winner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Producer

  • Thunder Ninja Kids 3: Hunt For The Devil Boxer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Producer

  • Space Thunder Kids (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Producer · Production Supervisor

  • Thunder Ninja Kids 2: Wonderful Mission (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Producer

  • Fight the Kickboxer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Producer

  • Rings Untouchable (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Producer

  • American Force 5: Mission Dynamo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Producer

  • Queen of Phoenix: Against Destiny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Executive Producer

  • Royal Angels - On Duty of Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Producer

  • U.S. Catman: Lethal Track (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Producer

  • Zodiac Power 3: Kickboxer from Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Producer

  • War City 5: Law of Honor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Producer

  • American Commando 9: Guns to Heaven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Producer

  • Space Transformer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Executive Producer

  • U.S. Catman 2: Boxer Blow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Producer · Writer

  • Ninja Knight: Thunder Fox (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Producer

  • American Commando Ninja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Producer

  • American Commando 5: Fury in Red (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Producer

  • Thunder of Gigantic Serpent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Producer

  • American Commando 2 — Hunting Express (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Producer

  • Ninja Operation 4 - Thunderbolt Angels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • American Commando 3: Savage Temptation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Producer

  • American Commando 4: Dressed to Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Producer

  • American Commando: Angel's Blood Mission (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Producer

  • American Force 2: The Untouchable Glory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Producer

  • American Force 4: Soldier Terminators (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Producer · Writer

  • Full Metal Ninja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Producer

  • Ninja of the Magnificence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Producer

  • Ninja Operation 2 - Way Of Challenge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director · Producer

  • Official Exterminator: Kill For Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director · Producer

  • Platoon the Warriors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Producer

  • War City 2 - Red Heat Conspiracy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Producer

  • War City: Die to Win (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Producer

  • Zodiac Power 2: Evil Destroyer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Producer

  • Zombie vs. Ninja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Producer

  • Official Exterminator 2: Heaven's Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Producer

  • The Ninja Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Producer

  • Ninja: Silent Assassin(1987)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Ninja Hunt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · Producer

  • Cobra Against Ninja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · Producer

  • The Brave Platoon(1987)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Advent Commando 7: Sweet Inferno (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Producer

  • American Commando 6: Kill Butterfly Kill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Producer

  • American Force 3: High Sky Mission (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Producer

  • Defenders of Space (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Producer

  • Golden Ninja Warrior (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay

  • Ninja Avengers(1987)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Ninja Commandments (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · Producer

  • Ninja Destroyer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Producer

  • Ninja Kill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · Producer

  • Ninja Operation 3: Licensed to Terminate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • Ninja Operation 5 - Godfather The Master (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • Official Exterminator 3: Joy for Living Dead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Producer

  • Soldier Champion(1987)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Ninja Showdown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • The Ultimate Ninja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Producer

  • A Man from Holland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Executive Producer

  • Ninja Terminator(1986)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Ninja Dragon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Producer

  • Challenge of the Ninja(1986)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Commando Fury(1986)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Diamond Ninja Force (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Producer

  • Ninja Champion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Producer

  • Soldier Warriors(1986)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Solar Adventure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Production Supervisor

  • Konan The Barbarian Swordsman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Producer

  • Breakout From Oppression (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Executive Producer

  • Inferno Thunderbolt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Producer

  • Scorpion Thunderbolt(1988)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Zhi zun shen tou(1984)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Born a Ninja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Producer

  • Savior of the Earth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Producer

  • Protectors of Universe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Producer

  • Wonder Of Frontier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Producer

  • Mission Thunderbolt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Producer

  • Thunder Prince (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Producer

  • Raiders of Galaxy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Producer

  • Fury in Shaolin Temple (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Producer

  • The Dragon's Snake Fist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Producer

  • Dragon, the Young Master (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Producer

  • Golden Dragon, Silver Snake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Producer

  • The Blazing Ninja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Associate Producer

  • The Snake Strikes Back (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Producer

  • Fist of the Golden Monkey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Producer

  • Kingfisher The Killer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Producer

  • Long quan she shou(1980)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Captain of Cosmos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Producer

  • The Magnificent Duo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Producer

  • Warriors of Kung Fu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Producer

  • The Dragon, the Hero(1979)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Brawl Busters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Producer

  • Enter Three Dragons(1978)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Dirty Heroes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Producer

  • Kung Fu Gold(1974)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Ferocious to Ferocious (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Producer

  • The Blood Wind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Producer

Career shape

A full career of 94 titles from 1973 to 2005.

Highest rated

Ninja Terminator (1986)

Midcredits 23rd

Most popular right now

Zhi zun shen tou (1984)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Directing12 of 94: 4 only directing, 8 with another roleWriting3 of 94: 0 only writing, 3 with another roleProducing89 of 94: 78 only producing, 11 with another role · typical Midcredits score15thOther crew2 of 94: 1 only other crew, 1 with another role

94 titles, 11 with more than one role — producing and directing overlap on 8 of them.

By decade

1970s9 · crew1980s70 · crew1990s12 · crew2000s3 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Joseph Lai's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 12th percentile, the median of all 14; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 13th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

13thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

15thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

19thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 14 titles, by percentile

  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th11

Shape of the crowd

11 of their 14 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Panned2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · producer

Challenge of the Ninja (1986)

87th percentile spread · 55% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · producer

The Dragon, the Hero (1979)

Midcredits 44th · 35% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 41/100 and the pacing 38/100 in their films, across 9 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Joseph Lai work with?

People who share at least 2 of Joseph Lai's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Godfrey Ho shares the most, 12.

Directors

  • Godfrey Ho12 titles · 10 as director    See all 12 shared titles with Godfrey Ho

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers